The European Commission has extended a warm, albeit subtly cheeky, welcome to Elon Musk after his dramatic fallout with former US President Donald Trump.
The development came amid escalating tensions between the two influential figures, who exchanged insults on social media after Trump expressed disappointment in Musk’s recent criticisms.
During the Commission’s daily press briefing on Friday, spokesperson Paula Pinho was asked whether Musk had approached the EU about relocating his businesses or launching new ventures in Europe. “He’s very welcome,” she responded with a knowing smile.
Thomas Regnier, the EU’s spokesperson for tech matters, added more diplomatically that “everyone is very welcome indeed to start and to scale in the EU,” citing the bloc’s “Choose Europe” initiative aimed at attracting startups and expanding businesses.
The timing of the EU’s overture is notable, as Musk continues to clash with US leadership. Trump, reportedly angered by Musk’s reaction to plans to cut electric vehicle subsidies in a proposed spending bill, threatened to cancel federal contracts worth an estimated $18 billion. Musk, in turn, threatened to pull the plug on a key U.S. space program.
Although Musk has previously criticized the EU — slamming its digital policies as censorship and supporting far-right movements in countries like Germany — the bloc appears unfazed. It is now signaling openness to the tech billionaire as a potential business partner on European soil.
What you should know
Elon Musk’s dispute with Donald Trump marks a significant rupture in what was once a strong political alliance. While the fallout has sent ripples through US politics and markets, notably causing a dip in Tesla shares, it has also prompted international interest, with the European Union seizing the moment to offer Musk an alternative environment for innovation and expansion.
